Liverpool managed to record a spirited 1-0 win over Ajax on Wednesday in the Champions League, on what was a very, very special night for Rhys Williams.
With Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip out injured, Jurgen Klopp named the 19-year-old centre-back among his substitutes, having chosen Fabinho and Joe Gomez to start.
Williams might not have expected to make it onto the Johan Cruyff Arena pitch, but the teenager did get a few minutes under his belt.
Klopp withdrew James Milner for the Preston-born defender in the 91st minute.
The moment signalled the youngster’s Champions League debut and also marked yet another checkpoint in his meteoric rise.
Williams spent time on loan with non-league outfit Kidderminster Harriers last season, and they showcased his special journey excellently through the use of two pictures of their official Twitter account.
The Liverpool No.46 only had three touches of the ball and won a single aerial duel in his very brief cameo.
However, we presume that he still would’ve been in dreamland when making his debut in Europe’s greatest club competition.
Injury crisis or no injury crisis – to rise from non-league to the Champions League in a matter of months is some achievement.
Let’s just hope Williams can follow the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Curtis Jones in becoming first-team regulars under Klopp.
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